Introducing bottles at 8 weeks

[fuzzywigsmum]

Hi all

DD2 is 8 weeks and currently EBF. I want to start giving her a bottle 2-3 times per week purely so she will accept a bottle later on, so that I can go out some evenings etc. However I've not had much success with expressing and realistically think I'm probably not going to fit expressing in around looking after toddler etc.

So my question is, if I am going to reluctantly give her a little bit of formula, how much should I give and at what time of the day? And how many times a week do I need to give a bottle for her to remain used to it? I really want to keep it to a minimum as I introduced a formula dream feed to DD1 around this time and it ruined my supply.

Thanks

[Cindy34]

4oz but don't expect her to drink it all.
Aim for a time when you have time to sit and relax, not be rushed. DD2 needs to be reasonably hungry. Be prepared for her to refuse the bottle. Give it a go for a while, when she becomes too upset then offer the breast.

[fuzzywigsmum]

4oz! Really? Surely that would completely replace a BF, which is absolutely what I'm trying not to do. Wouldn't just giving her 1-2oz before a BF do?

[FadBook]

However much replacement milk you give her may effect your supply, so you have to consider this.

I'd rewind a little and ask yourself the purpose of giving a bottle in the first place. For what reason? For DD to get used to bottles. This isn't always the case. They can take a bottle from day one and then refuse 12 weeks down the line. She may accept one on one day, but not on another. Or she may a complete bottle refuser.

Bear this in mind.

Expressing is best first thing in the morning. I used to take my pump to bed (sterilised) and when dd had her feed when she woke at 5am-ish I'd pump either at the same time off the other boob or after she'd finished. This became a regular time for me of when I could fit it in too. I'd never pump loads off as I didn't want to make my supply more, but just 1/2 oz so if I needed to leave DD for an hour or two with DP or whatever, the option for her to have that milk was there.

[fuzzywigsmum]

Thanks Fad. I will give expressing another try. I'd thought that if I only got half an ounce it was an epic fail and didn't seem worth saving. And a good idea to have the pump ready by the bed so I'm good to go in the morning. It's funny, with DD1 I was quite happy to give some formula and this time it just feels wrong.

[AnythingNotEverything]

You could replace one feed, one day with formula. Get someone else to give it. Meanwhile, you express what she would have had that feed, and give her it the next day (or within a week). Every time she has EBM, you can express for the next time.

You may find you have more success expressing this way.

[magicalmrmistoffelees]

I introduced a bottle of formula a day at 6 weeks in anticipation of a wedding I would have to attend at 16 weeks (I was a bridesmaid so limited opportunities for feeding). My supply wasn't affected, however at 15 weeks my DD decided she would no longer take a bottle despite being absolutely fine up until then! So 'getting them used to the bottle' doesn't always work out the way you hope.